combustible: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “combustible” mean?
Capable of catching fire and burning easily.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Capable of catching fire and burning easily.
Easily excited, prone to strong emotional outbursts, or likely to cause controversy or conflict.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. In technical/legal contexts (e.g., transport), 'flammable' is more common in both variants, but 'combustible' remains standard.
Connotations
Slightly more formal and technical than 'flammable'. Figurative use is equally common in both varieties.
Frequency
Medium-low frequency in both, with slightly higher use in American English in news/political commentary for figurative meaning.
Grammar
How to Use “combustible” in a Sentence
be + combustibleverb + combustible (e.g., store, handle, label)combustible + noun (material, situation, personality)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “combustible” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A. The verb 'combust' is extremely rare and technical.
American English
- N/A. The verb 'combust' is extremely rare and technical.
adverb
British English
- N/A. 'Combustibly' is not a standard word.
American English
- N/A. 'Combustibly' is not a standard word.
adjective
British English
- The warehouse was full of highly combustible chemicals.
- His combustible temper made negotiations difficult.
American English
- Keep all combustible materials away from the heater.
- The region's history created a combustible political mix.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In risk assessments and safety data sheets for materials.
Academic
In chemistry, engineering, and materials science papers.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used in news reports about fires or volatile situations.
Technical
Core term in fire safety, chemistry, and hazardous materials transport.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “combustible”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “combustible”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “combustible”
- Misspelling as 'combustable'.
- Using 'incombustible' as the opposite (correct but very rare; 'non-flammable' is more common).
- Confusing the order with 'flammable'/'inflammable' (they are synonyms).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In everyday language, yes. In strict technical contexts (e.g., fire codes), 'flammable' and 'combustible' are sometimes distinguished by ignition temperature and flash point, with flammable materials being easier to ignite.
The most common opposites are 'non-flammable' and 'fire-resistant'. 'Incombustible' is correct but rare and formal.
Yes, figuratively. A 'combustible person' has a fiery, volatile, or easily angered temperament.
This is a famous confusion. 'Inflammable' comes from the Latin 'inflammare' (to set on fire), not the negative prefix. It means the same as 'flammable'. To avoid confusion, safety labels now almost exclusively use 'flammable'.
Capable of catching fire and burning easily.
Combustible is usually formal/technical in register.
Combustible: in British English it is pronounced /kəmˈbʌstəbl/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəmˈbʌstəbəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms; the word itself is used figuratively]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BUS that can catch fire: 'come-BUS-tible'. If the bus is highly combustible, it's dangerous.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION/ CONFLICT IS FIRE ("a combustible political climate", "a combustible temper").
Practice
Quiz
In which of these sentences is 'combustible' used in a figurative sense?